Expression for All
In our modern world of heightened political polarization and class conflict, we often reward unwavering allegiance and punishes nuance. Those who resist binary thinking and attempt to understand and appraise perspectives from both ends of the spectrum—whether political, ideological, or socioeconomic—are frequently denied legitimacy and respect of opposing extremes, thus giving a response of dismissal or unreceptiveness of the diversity of ideas. The proposal aims to alleviate this perpetuating tension by utilising said nuanced demographics as a bridging tool, with visual Arts being a popular and effective method of individualistic expression. The designed proposal focuses on flexible gallery spaces that accommodates a general public through focused but widely applicable comforts, along with spatial presentation of choice to its users, in allowing artists complete freedom in their expression, but also to viewers who can choose their own sensitivity, presenting a more amicable and receptive environment to educate and connect those of different backgrounds and beliefs.
The focus of bridging communities also extend to the Spartan Works site context, with the proposal aiming to prevent the rising occurrence of the commodification through modern urban renewal projects throughout UK’s historically industrial cities, promising rejuvenation and an aesthetic of connection but masks deeper processes of social and economic marginalisation, as designs to attract investment and raise property values excludes surrounding working-class residents – these projects not just erode history and authenticity of the local community life but also displaces said residents from their generational roots. The proposal thus pushes for encouraging local artists and users to utilise the equal and affordable spaces, with workshops attached in close proximity to the galleries for further engagement, along with the structure retaining the site’s heritage value in aesthetic and materiality to better assimilate the project into the local industrial identity.
